Carroll Peter Ness was born in Mercer, North Dakota, on November 2, 1916. Carroll P. grew up to be a farmer and owner of gas station. On November 28, 1949, Carroll married Ruth Lucille Olson (born in Rolette, North Dakota, on May 4, 1922) at Rolette, North Dakota. The couple lived in Clarkfield, and had four children: Merle Paul (born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, August 20, 1952), Steven Peter (born in Aberdeen June 10, 1955), Richard Bradley (born in Wagner, South Dakota January 14, 1958) and Charles Phillip (born in Montevideo, Minnesota on September 1, 1961).Evelyn Addie Ness was born in Mercer, North Dakota, on September 25, 1918. On December 19, 1937, she married Quintin Robert Roberts in McIntosh, South Dakota. Quintin was a car salesman, born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, December 31, 1900. Evelyn and Quintin had one child, Winnifred Elsie Roberts, who was born in Hollywood, California, on March 6, 1939.Paul Haugen Ness was born in McClusky, North Dakota, on November 6, 1921. Paul was an insurance man, who married at Steelton, Pennsylvania, on September 7, 1946 to Ruth Lillian Essick (born in York, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1921). The couple lived at Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, and had three children: Anton Paul, Carol Ruth, and Marda Marie.Merle Paul Ness, was born in Tracy, on November 29, 1914, and tragically died in a car accident at age 16 in Valley City, North Dakota, on June 15, 1930.